の間に | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + の間に
[noun A] + と + [noun B] + の間に

Description

The grammar structure の間に is used to express that something happens during or while a certain period or event is taking place. It attaches to nouns to indicate the time frame within which an action occurs.

Basic usage: during a period

When attached to a noun representing a time period or event, の間に indicates that something happens at some point within that period.

、。

During summer vacation, I read three Japanese books.

、。

While I was away, a package arrived.

Between two nouns

の間に can also express "between" two things – whether physical locations or abstract concepts. In this case, the structure is A と B の間に.

。

There is a park between the station and the school.

の間に vs. の間

An important distinction exists between の間に and の間 (without に).

の間に – Something happens at a point within the time frame. The action in the main clause is typically a one-time or completed event.
じゅぎょう授業のあいだ間にねてしまった寝てしまった。
I fell asleep during class.
の間 – Something continues throughout the entire time frame. The action in the main clause is ongoing or sustained.
じゅぎょう授業のあいだずっと間ずっとおきていた起きていた。
I was awake throughout the entire class.

The particle に highlights that the event occurred within the period rather than spanning it.

While の間に is used with nouns, the same concept applies with verbs using V[ている] + 間に or V[dictionary form] + 間に. These are closely related patterns worth knowing.

、。

While my mother was shopping, I cleaned the room.

Examples

、。

During summer vacation, I traveled a lot.

、。

It seems someone came while I was away.

、。

I'll go to the bank during lunch break.

、。

I gained weight during the winter.

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Nagoya is between Tokyo and Osaka.

、。

There was an important phone call during the meeting.

、。

I made dinner while the children were sleeping.

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I want to acquire a new skill during the break.

、。

Many things happened during this past year.

、。

Let's tidy up the room while he's not here.

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Is there a convenience store between the station and the hotel?

、。

I was reading a book while waiting.

References

の間にBunpro